PISCATAWAY — Gary Nova saved his most statistically efficient game of the season — the perception says — for when the junior needed it most.

Rutgers’ quarterback threw for a career-high 371 yards and season-best 71.1 completion percentage Saturday against Temple for an efficiency rating of 179.12, less than two days removed from confirmation he would start.

Nova earned Offensive Player of the Week honors Monday from the American, the conference announced.

“Some of the most pleasing plays are when he pulls the ball down and runs and makes positive plays with his feet,” head coach Kyle Flood said during Monday’s conference call. “I think those are excellent decisions in the game, and those are decisions going forward that will allow his game to continue to grow.”

“I was pleased with the team handled it,” he said. “Those situations are always tests for your players and not just the players involved in the competition. I think we’ve got a team of players that believes in the quarterback room, not just one player.”

Trailing, 20-16, with 1:50 left against Temple, Nova capped an eight-play, 72-yard drive with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Leonte Carroo on fourth-and-10. The decision gave Nova his third comeback victory of the season and eased outside tensions at the position.

Nova has started 21 straight games. Only last week did questions about his status gain traction.

Flood inherited a muddled quarterback culture when he inherited the job in 2012. Three quarterbacks had earned at least three starts in the previous two seasons. Four opening-day starters lined up under center in as many years.

Flood named Nova the team’s unquestioned starter Aug. 20, 2012. Only a concussion prompted a temporary change at quarterback.

“Right now, he’s got one game behind him where he got better,” Flood said of Nova. “Our job as coaches and his job as a player is to make sure we come back to work starting today to make sure we get a little better this week, as well.”

Rutgers is on a bye this week and does not play again until Nov. 16 against Cincinnati. Flood said he isn’t concerned with Nova’s play regressing in the final four games of the season.

Nova is on pace to set career highs this season in every statistical category, including interceptions with 18. He has taken blame for each, although actual reasoning behind them is not unanimous.

Flood’s big-picture approach continues.

“I think we’ve got players in that room that are willing to come out and compete every day,” he said. “That’s a good sign for our program in general.”

About the Author

Tyler Barto is a 2013 Rutgers graduate and a Westampton, N.J., native. Reach the author at tbarto@trentonian.com
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